Art Linkletter Never Imagined This

Art Linkletter Never Imagined This

kids will be kids

and say the darndest things

life shouldn't be ruined

because of cruel language

because of racial slurs

because of demonic dialect

that little kid over there?

he is but 40 years old

pardon him for his immaturity

who, in logical thinking, is mature

at that age?

it's just folly

kids will be kids

my seven-year-old

has more reason

and writes with a sensitive pen

18 years old 

is still an infant

how can a baby know better?

let's text

our cur-like doggerels

let's poem

with name calling revenue

I think my pen just went broke

I am a gutter kid

kids will be kids

Don't ruin my life just 

because I hate people

who aren't like me

political prospectors

find gold in my makeup

they file claim

on my loyalty

kids will be kids.

erin-cilberto

10/15/25

Reviews

[Jansy]

Jacob, this poem is a rollercoaster through the absurdity of human “maturity.” I love how you turn the phrase “kids will be kids” into both a shield and a mirror, reflecting the foolishness of grown-ups who never quite graduated from the playground of thought. Your seven-year-old protagonist with a pen wiser than most 40-year-olds is a delightful rebellion against logic, and I can’t stop picturing them silently critiquing the world with raised eyebrows and ink-stained fingers.

It’s funny, harsh, and strangely tender, like watching a toddler scold the universe while their dog chews on the dictionary. My cat, Admiral Whiskers, retired and highly decorated, who also happens to be a philosopher of some renown, sat beside me nodding in solemn approval. I think she would insist that your poem is not just clever, but necessary....a reminder that wisdom often hides behind the mask of childish folly.

You’ve captured the essence of how foolishness persists across ages, and how our words...poetic, cruel, or accidental; carry a weight we often refuse to see. Brilliantly chaotic and insightful, Jacob. You’ve made “kids will be kids” feel like both a warning and a manifesto.

With admiration, mild mischief, and a cat-approved nod,
James/Jansy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate hearing that the Admiral approved.
Thank you for the very kind review.
j.

[Relic]

policital prospectors....did you mean political?

I find all politicians to be corrupt with their hand out expecting some pay-off. Kids are probably influenced at a young age to be prejudice from parents or their peers. They're like seeds that are influenced by shade and grow up to be weeds. It's a lose lose proposition any way you look at it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh my goodness, yes, I did. Thanks Tim...will fix that immediately. And all you said? Amen.

[Lydia Shutter]

When Art Linkletter had that show, people were allowed to be politically incorrect. Children learn by example. Most often they believe as their parents did. But are 40 year olds still immature? Some are. Babies know better simply because they have not learned hate yet. What a world we live in! Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

One politician a few days ago diminished some awful texts online saying "kids will be kids"--

the ones who had done this were 18 to 40 year olds. Kids? Not quite.
The parties won't cooperate with each other...they act like kids and we suffer for their stubbornness...
Yes, What a World.
Thank you for being such a kind and caring person.
j.

[FlatDaddy]

I well remember Mr. Linkletter and his show. Yes, kids say the darndest things, then and now. And they never age, or learn -- not what we want them to or think they should. Those little rascals just get up to the craziest things, and all we can do is laugh. Or cry.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your words, FD.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I had to look up the title j to understand this more. Children and their innocence can be endearing with the sayings they come out with. Sadly they can also be indoctrinated with hate that they can pick up from parents. Particularly parents that have strong political views. We even see some of this coming through in the classroom these days. It doesn’t end there though. It seems that just having a different point of view can also get you called out by the media. There is lots here to consider in this poem. It is far reaching j. Much to think about. Let children be children.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And these KIDS our VP is referring to who are spreacing hate online...they are not kids, they are 18 to40 year olds...not kids.
The hate is spreading. Our voices are not being heard.
thanks for your words, Chris.
j.